On a beautiful afternoon in the historic Hurlingham Park, the England polo team snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against the USA, to extend their unbeaten international run and start the 2024 season in style at Chesterton’s Polo In The Park.

An experienced England side of Max Charlton, Nina Clarkin, and Nacho Gonzalez faced a fresh American side of MacKenzie Weisz, Nico Escobar, and Micaela Saracco. Max and Nacho warmed up for the match with a victory for the London team against Buenos Aires, while MacKenzie and Nico also showed a glimpse of what was to come earlier in the day when New York drew with London.

In front of packed crowd, many experiencing polo for the first time, Nacho opened the card with a fast goal at the start of the first chukka, but the USA team quickly drew ahead with a two-pointer followed by two goals in quick succession, to lead 4-1 by the end of the first chukka. Fast and physical play followed in the second chukka; neither team were able to change the score on the board leaving the match 4-1 at half time.

There was palpable tension in the British camp, and with three missed penalties for England combined with huge hits from MacKenzie Weisz and incredible skills shown by Nico Escobar, it looked as though the Americans may have taken an unassailable lead. The England supporters had no reason to fear though, as the experience of Max Charlton shone through in the third and fourth chukkas.

Max came out on fire after half time; taking no prisoners and playing a fast and attacking game to break through the American blockade. With fearless determination and all his usual power and skill, Max showed exactly why he is perfectly suited this unique, condensed format for polo. In a superb England come back playing a tighter, cleaner game, Nacho and Nina answered every call, to get four goals on the board in the final two chukkas. There was an agonising moment for Nina and the home side, when a superb under-the-neck shot almost clinched the game with seconds to go, but just went wide of the goal to leave the score at 5-5 at the final buzzer.

In the event of a tie, Polo In The Park uses a rundown to decide the winner, and there was never any doubt that it would be Max Charlton and MacKenzie Weisz lining up, both revelling in the passion and excitement of the London crowd.

Lining up with a ball apiece, the winner would be the first to cross the back line where umpire Greg Keyte stood waiting. Max set off with a customary massive hit for England, but it all looked lost when the ball veered right towards the tense crowd in hospitality and left Max playing catch up, while MacKenzie streaked down the field on the opposite side. MacKenzie was already celebrating when a shock call of “OUT!” was heard over the tannoy; MacKenzie’s last hit had sent the ball over the boards before crossing the line and handed the win to England. An unexpected conclusion to an enormously exciting match which once again introduced polo to a new generation of fans.

Pictures by The Art of Polo